


SF287 






- 






































Complete Course 



IN 



Horsemanship 
















BY 
PROF. J. J. GUNDERSON 

SHELDON, IOWA 












Complete Course 



in 



HORSEMANSHIP 



BY 



Prof. Julius J. Gunderson 




Complete instructions for breaking colts to drive and 
ride, and taming of wild and vicious horses, together with 
some trick training. 1 give instructions by mail or person- 
ally at home, or on the road. My instructions arc easier 
and better than any'other known which is the result of 
my experience covering a period of about 20 years. 



Price $10.00 










PROF. J. J. GUXDERSOX, SHELDON, IOWA. 



©CI.A410929 



Copyrighted 1915 

by 

JULIUS J. GUNDERS< >N. 

Sheldon, Iowa. 



This book must be kept for your use. or your family's 
use, i >nly. 

If anyone desires one of these books send the price 
marked in the book to the author and you will receive one 
postage prepaid in short notice. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



It is about twenty years ago, I led into the study of 
breaking colts and horses of all bad habits and taming wild 
and vicious bronchos. 

For the first two years I bought a good many horses 
that were called outlaws. They were all unmanageable 
f< r the owner, and I could buy them at my own price. I 
sold them well broke, and received top prices. After a few 
years of experience I decided to begin teaching what I had 
learned by such experience in this study, and I now have 
hundreds of farmers who are using my method with great 
success. I think it is not claiming too much for my meth- 
od to say that by its use any horse can be broke. No mat- 
ter how badly he has been spoiled, he can be made perfect- 
ly docile and even safe for a family horse. In reading my 
book, yon are not reading a book that is written by a man 
who has nothing good at heart for either horse or man, and 
who merely wants the ill-gained dollars. I guarantee my 
book to be better than any other book published on break- 
ing and taming of horses, and I can prove that my method 
is far better than any other methods; more humane and 
more effective with the aid of this knowledge. I was often 
able, in from a few minutes to an hour's time, to subdue in 
making horses gentle that had resisted for months or years. 

The book is plain and thoroughly explained so a child 
10 years old can read and understand it. 

Greater attention is now being paid to the breeding of 
horses and our attention should be to a better education 
for the most valuable animal that God has given to us — - 
the horse. 

Yours truly. 

PROF. I. T. GUNDERSON 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE 



REMARKS. 

In beginning this study you must by all means bear in 
mind these few remarks: 

When you began to handle and control a horse, you 
must control yourself first. 

A horse doesn't have the reasoning power, but we 
have, and we must use it. 

The second is to know the horse that you are going 
to handle and the third is to make him gentle. As a horse 
has a greater power than a man, it is necessary to use some 
device to over-power him with. Let kindness be with you ; 
do not use the whip too freely or jerk him in the mouth or 
use any bad language, as a horse does not understand it. 
In driving and handling a colt you must use the same word 
f< r the same meaning. A horse learns the command by the 
sound of the word. When you want a colt to come to 
you use the words "come here"; to go forward, "get up"; 
to stop, "whoa"; to go slow, "steady"; to go back, "back 
up". If you use these words properly you will be sur- 
prised how quickly he will obey. Speaking of a horse's 
disposition — the disposition of a horse is what he does. 
Mist any man can tell what a colt is apt to do by looking 
at its head, but in breaking a colt it is not necessary to 
he an expert in telling the disposition. A colt that has a 
good disposittion can be broke and tamed in a shorter 
time than one that has a bad disposition. But it does not 
matter so much about his disposition. A colt that has 
never been handled does not have any bad habits, but to 
he sure that you are going to break him without giving 
him a chance to start any bad habits, you must handle 
him according to my instructions. But if a horse has 
I een spoiled in some way, then you must know what his 
habit is before you can begin breaking him. No man 



10 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

can always tell by looking at his head and know just what 
habit he has got, because a good many horses have good 
dispositions, but the man who undertook to break him 
had a poor method of handling horses, and taught him 
the bad habit. If you know what bad habit he has got 
you will know how to break him by looking it up in my 
book, without looking at the horse's head. 

When you handle horses that are high-lifed and ner- 
vous, or hot blooded, you should be a little more careful 
about their handling. I )o not be too free with the whip 
or jerk them in the mouth, and do not use severe bits. If 
you follow my instruction- you will not have any horses 
with any bad habits. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. U 

HOW TO HALTER-BREAK A NATIVE COLT. 

The halter-breaking of a colt is the first thing to be 
thought of. A colt should be halter-broke from three 
months to one year of age. 

Take a piece of one-half inch rope, make a loop in the 
center of the rope, big enough to come around the hind- 
quarters and over the hips. Tie a square knot about the 
middle of the back, run one of the ropes along the neck on 
the right side and through the halter ring, and the other 
along the left side of the neck and cross the ropes in the 
halter ring, then tie both ends to the manger, then take a 
small strap, fasten it to the rope on the right side, about 
the flank, pass straps under the belly to the right side, tie 
about the flank, but do not draw this strap very tight. 
This is called the breeching rope. When a colt is first tied 
he doesn't realize what is wanted of him, and finding him- 
self restrained of his usual freedom to move about as he 
pleases, his first thought is to get away. If you do not 
have him securely tied, he breaks loose, and the result may 
be that you will have a halter puller. 

THE BONAPARTE BRIDLE. 

Take a piece of No. 8 silver lake cotton cord about 25 
feet in length. Tie one end around the neck with a sta- 
tionary knot, double your rope forward through the loop, 
tied around the neck. Put the loop through the mouth. 
Keep the longer rope on the right side of the knot, pass 
the rope over the head from the left side, then pass the 
rope under the upper lip from the right side. Then pass 
the rope back through the loop tied around the neck. 
This is called the Bonaparte bridle. Do not use this bridle 
on wild bronchos or a striking horse of any kind. 



12 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



13 




THE BONAPARTE BRIDLE. 



14 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A HALTER-BROKE NATIVE 
COLT TO DRIVE. 

The proper time to begin to educate your colt to do 
a little driving or light work is between the age of 2 1-2 to 
3 years. If you want a horse that you can drive and work 
with pleasure, follow my instructions. 

J prefer a pen about 24 feet square, or out in the 
open. First place on him the Bonaparte bridle, take hold 
of the cord with one hand, stand about 8 to 10 feet to the 
left, then come with an easy pull on the cord at the same 
time giving your colt the command "come here.". When 
the coll comes around to you, reward him by patting him 
on the neck, to let him know that he did what was right. 
Repeat this for a few times from the left side till he comes 
around willingly by the command "come here." Then re- 
peat the same on the right side. When he turns willingly 
to the right and left side, then take the whip and crack it 
around him, but do not hit him. Then he may be made to 
go forward. When you have that accomplished you take 
a half inch rope, take hold of both ends, draw the loop 
around the hind quarters and over the hips; keep hold of 
the Bonaparte bridle with your left hand. Give a quick pull 
on the rope in your right hand. If the colt kicks, punish 
him by giving a quick pull on the Bonaparte bridle. At 
the same time give him the command "behave." Then 
take the rope around his hind legs and make vour colt 
walk around, ff he kicks, punish him in the same manner. 
This handling will educate your colt not to kick when the 
tugs or lines get around his feet. When your colt does not 
pay any attention by being touched with the rope, then put 
on the throwing harness. 

First place the surcingle around his body, tie a piece 
of rope in the ring on the right side, then take a small strap, 
tie both ends together, forming a loop about 20 inches. 
place it under the tail, pass the rope from the right ring 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



15 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



through the strap and tie in the ring on the left side. Then 
take a half inch rope about 25 feet long, pass the end 
through the ring in the surcingle on the left side from the 
back, pass rope through halter ring from the left side and 
tie in the surcingle ring on the left side. Then you take a 
short \ x /i inch strap around the right fore foot, just above 
the hoof. Place lj/j inch snap on the strap. Then re- 
move the Bonaparte bridle, take a hold of the ropes close 
to the halter ring with your right hand. Then step around 
on the right side of the colt, take hold of the strap on the 
foot with your left hand, hook the snap in the ring in the 
surcingle under the belly, then take hold of the long rope 
on the left side and pull ; this brings his head around to the 
left shoulder, and he will be compelled to lay down on his 
right side. Then bring the rope around toward his back and 
stand, then take a tin basket with two light horse shoes in 
it. keep a hold on the long rope with one hand and the 
basket with the other; shake the basket over his side, 
shoulders and hind quarters, make all the noise you can, 
but do not hurt him in any way. Take a blanket and swing- 
it over him several times. Whenever he lays still, leave his 
head flat on the ground. Whenever he tries to get up, pull 
his head back to his shoulder, so he cannot get on his feet. 
By handling your colt in this manner you will have 
him subdued in a short time. He will not have any fear 
for racket or blanket. As soon as you have your colt sub- 
dued in the throwing harness, place a bridle and harness 
on him, put an easy bit in the bridle. I prefer a Xo. 90 
bit. Take a hame strap and buckle in both the bit rings 
around the lower jaw, this will prevent the bit from pull- 
ing through the mouth, but do not buckle tight. Fit the 
bridle on snug and do not allow your colt to keep his 
tongue on top of the bit. Then place knee pads and driv- 
ing hobbles on. Tie the end of the rope from driving- 
hobbles into the halter rope, then take your whip in your 



HOW TO TRAIN THE H^FSE 



►u 

H 
H 

C 

o 

> 

K 
> x 

2x 




18 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

right hand and drhe y< ur colt around in a circle. Now is 
the time to teach your colt the meaning of the words 
"get up" and "whoa." Crack the whip behind him and 
speak sh: rply "get up." When he walks around a distance 
then give him the command "whoa," and at the same time 
come with a quick pull mi the rope that leads to the hobbles 
—bring him to his knees. When he quits lungeing around, 
give slack in the rope and give him a chance to get on his 
feet, and just as he gets on his feet speak out sharply 
"whoa." If lie stands, walk up to him and reward him by 
patting him on the neck. If he should refuse to stand, give 
him the sharp command "whoa," and bring him to his 
knees. Repeat this until your colt will get up and stop at 
the command "whoa," and "get up." Do not check your 
colt while in the driving hobbles; if you do, the result will 
he some part of the harness broken, or hurt his mouth. 
Xow your colt is ready to hitch. I prefer a lumber wagon. 
'Fie the neckyoke to the tongue. Put a stav chain on for 
the broke horse, then bring the broke horse up to the right 
side and the colt to the left side. First put the neckyoke on 
the broke horse, and then on the colt; then tie the rope 
from the driving hobbles with a loop knot into the brace on 
the wagon box. For the first few times manage to drive 
straight ahead or turn towards the broke horse. The 
reason 1 prefer the left side is in driving on the road it 
brings the colt next to the autos, and other vehicles, and 
that is easier for a man to handle the rope in the left hand 
and lines in the right hand. The colt should be broken 
lo drive on both sides in a team. First hitch him a couple 
of times on the left side, then to the right side 
Drive your colt up to everything that you think might 
frighten him, especially autos, no matter how hard lie 
tries to get away, as the horse has the driving hobbles on. 
You have him under perfect control. Always drive your 
colt slow, and teach him to walk the first two or three 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE 



19 







II IW TO TRAIX THE HORSE. 



i es, ycu can easily teach him to trot after yon have 
! aught him to wrlk. and never over-work your colt, or 
drive him until he gets too tired. Von should hitch him 
twice a day or more, bu short drives for a few days, ^t on 
will soon ha 7 e a horse that is family broke. 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 21 

THE DRIVING HOBBLES. 

The driving hobbles are made of one strap two inches 
wide, five feet two inches long, with a two-inch D sewed 
in each end. This strap goes over the back, on top of the 
harness, back of the back pad. The light end of this strap 
is fastened into the hobble around the foot, with a No. *> 
wire about 4 inches long. The other hobble is loose and 
a honda fastened into it with a No. 9 wire 5 inches long, 
but have the wire two double, and fasten one honda close 
to the D in the heavy end of the 2 inch strap. Take a ^S 
inch rope, pass the rope through the honda close to the 
D, then through the honda in the hobble, and fasten the 
end of the rope into the D in the 2-inch strap. When using 
the driving hobbles on a colt always have the rope on the 
outside of the team. The driving hobbles can be used or, 
either side, without changing the rope. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE COLT TO DRIVE 
THAT IS NOT HALTER BROKE. 

[f you have a pen or shed about 24 feet square with a 
good high fence around it yon can handle him about the 
same as one that is halter broke. Do not have barb wire 
or machinery near where you handle colts. Have a good 
smooth and level place, free from stone and objects that 
might injure your colt. If you don't have a place of this 
kind, first get your colt in the barn, put on a halter and 
the breeching rope and tie him to the manger. Then 
put on the harness, knee pads and driving hobbles, take 
him out in the open. When he gets out he will make an 
effort to get away from you: Then pull on the rope in the 
driving hobbles and bring him to his knees and make him 
lie down. Then take a tin basket with a couple of horse 
shoes in it and a blanket and go through the same, as for 
handling a halter broke colt. When you have subdued 



22 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 23 

him then put on the Bonaparte bridle and handle him like 
one that is halter broke, but do not use it very severe. 
Leave the driving hobbles on, take a rope around his 
hind quarters and legs, as is described in handling one 
that is halter broke. When you have done this, then make 
your colt take a circle and teach him to go ahead and 
stop by the commands, "get up," "whoa." When he will 
get up and stop at the command then he is ready to be 
hitched to the wagon, but do not forget to tie the neck- 
yoke on the tongue and a stay chain for the broke horse. 
Bring the broke horse on the right side and the colt on 
the left side. First put neck yoke on the broke horse, 
and then on the colt, tie the rope from the driving hob- 
bles with a loop knot in the brace that leads from the 
step into the wagon box. Then pick up the lines and 
rope and drive him a couple of times a day till he is thor- 
oughly broke. If you tie a colt like this in town or out- 
side anywhere put on the breechen rope for about 3 or 4 
times. If your colt should refuse to lead into the barn 
or any place, lead your broke horse in front of your colt, 
take a 6 inch bolt and stick it through the kock eyes in 
the broke horse tugs. Take the 2 ends of the breeching 
rope and make two half hitches around the tugs in front 
of the bolt. Take hold of the broke horse by the bridle, 
and lead him to where you want the colt and he will fol- 
low without any trouble. 



24 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 25_ 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE COLT THAT 
SWITCHES AND KICKS AT THE TONGUE, 
ONE THAT HAS BEEN HITCHED THREE 
TIMES OR LESS. 

There are so many kinds of kickers and it is neces- 
sary to know what kind yon are going to handle be- 
cause they can not all be broke alike, first yon have 
got t<> find the cause, and work at it from that point, 
put on tie Bonaparte bridle and take a 1-2 inch rope, 
take hold of both ends and throw the loop around the 
hind quarters and over the hips, keep the Bonaparte 
bridle in your left hand and the other in your right 
hand, then with a quick pull with the rope in your right. 
Whenever the colt kicks, give him a severe jerk 
in the Bonaparte bridle, at the same time give 
him the command "behave." Repeat this until 
he won't pay any attention to it, then bring the rope 
around in a circle and every time he kicks give him a 
-bar]) jerl< and speak sharply "behave." Take a blan- 
ket and hit him around the hind legs and handle thor- 
oughly, take all the touchiness out of the hind parts, 
then put on the throwing harness and give him a go. id 
subduing. Use the tin basket and blanket over him. 
Handle him about the same as to break a halter broke 
colt to drive, only give a more severe treatment, then 
put on the knee pads and driving hobbles and hitch to 
wagon. When yon start out do not cramp the tongue 
' wards the colt. If he kicks while driving, pull up on 
the rope in the hobbles and bring him to his knees. 
Drive him this way about three times, if he is still in- 
clined to kick, give him a handling in the kicking harness 



J:- HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT 
SWITCHES AND KICKS AT THE TONGUE. 
ONE THAT HAS BEEN HITCHED FOUR 
TIMES OR MORE. 

I find a good many of this kind of kickers. They 
re mostlv mares but once in a while geldings. To 
vercome this habit, it requires a severe punishment, 
put on the harness and bridle with a No. 90 bit. 
■ her out in a big clear space, put on the surcingle 
loose around the body. Have a pair of hobbles to 
buckle around the hind legs between the hock and 
nkle. Then lake a 1-2 inch rope about six feet long, 
run the rope through the roller part of 1 1-2 inch roll- 
r snap. Tie one end into the hobble on the right, 
the other on the left and then take another 1-2 
inch rope about 10 feet long, simp the big sua]) into the 
enter of this rope, pass the ropes over the surcingle 
between the front legs, run one end through the bit 
ring on the right side and the other through the left 
ring, cross ropes under jaw and tie. Check her head up 
about even with her back- and take a short stick about 4 
incites, lay it across the end of the tail, take a piece of 
-ash cord and make two half hitches back of the stick, pass 
the cord forward between the hind legs and tie to the col- 
Then yon take two poles about 14 feet long. These 
should be smooth with no sharp corners or knots and 
bout the same heft as a wagon tongue. Drill a hole in 
the light end of the poles, and take a short piece of sash 
cord, and tie a snap into the end of the poles. Place one 
pole on each side of her and snap them into the hame 
rings. Then you take a long rope tied into the halter. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE 




28 I-nW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

making her walk around in a big circle, first one way 
about five minutes, then reverse. Repeat this for a while, 
or until she won't pay any more attention to the poles. 
Then take a one-half inch rope around her body, pass 
both ends out between her hind legs and pull on the ropes 
and make her kick a few times. When she quits kicking 
at the rope between her hind legs, then make her take a 
circle right and then left a few times. Give her one treat- 
ment like this in the morning and one in the afternoon. 
After you give her the second treatment, then remove the 
poles and kicking harness, place the knee pads and driv- 
ing hobbles on her, hitch her to the wagon and give her a 
drive. If she makes any effort to kick pull up on the rope 
in the driving hobbles and bring her down on her knees. 
A mare of this kind should be in the harness every day for 
about a week or more, and in driving her do not cramp 
the tongue against her for some time, but do not use the 
kicking harness on a kicking broncho. See index. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
WHEN THE LINE GETS UNDER THE TAIL. 

The cause of this habit in many cases is sometime 
while driving the horse happens to switch the tail over 
the line and the driver gives a severe pull to get the line 
out from under the tail. By doing this it causes a severe 
pain and at tfee same time frightens him and causes him 
to kick. To overcome this habit it requires a severe 
treatment. First place the harness and bridle 
with a No. 90 bit on your horse, then 
put on kicking harness. Have one line on each 
side of the horse, with one independent line from the 
top of the hames or back pad. Do not use a rope. Drive 
your horse around, swing the independent line around 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 29 

his tail, give him a chance to catch this independent line, 
step out to the side, give a quick pull upon the independ- 
ent line like you were trying to pull the line out from un- 
der the tail. When the horse kicks he will give himself a 
severe punishment in the mouth. Repeat this a few times 
until he does not show any more desire to kick, then take 
a half inch rope around his body and back between his 
hind legs and give a few pulls on the rope and make him 
kick a few times; this will teach your horse in a couple of 
lessons not to kick when the line is under his tail. Do not 
use the kicking harness on a kicking broncho. See index. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
WHEN ANYTHING TOUCHES HIS HEELS. 

The cause of this habit is mostlv by being hitched too 
short on some machinery, where the doubletrees come 
very low. Or it might be caused by other accidents while 
driving This habit is not very difficult to overcome. 
First place the harness and bridle on the horse, then the 
knee pads and driving hobbles. Take him out in the open, 
tie a ring in the tail close to the tail bone, take a piece of 
sash cord about twenty feet long, pass the cord through 
the ring in the tail, tie a sack half full of tin cans to one end 
of the sash cord and keep the other end in your hand. Have 
a lead line from the bit, make vour horse take a big cir- 
cle. When your horse has walked around a distance pull 
up on the sash cord that is tied to the sack, so the sack ot 
cans will hit against his heels. If the horse makes a quick 
move forwards and kicks, pull up hard on the rope in the 
driving hobbles and bring him to his knees. Then give a 
little slack in the cord tied to the sack of cans, and then give 
him a chance to get on his feet. Repeat this for a while, 
then pull up on the cord tied to the sack, so the sack will 



30 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

be close to the ring, and hold it there until he don't pay 
any attention to it. Have the horse walking around while 
giving him this treatment. In some cases it will be well 
enough to give the horse a good subduing in the throwing 
harness before hitching. This will educate your horse in 
a short time not to kick when anything touches his heels. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
AT THE TUGS WHILE TURNING AROUND. 

This habit is most common with mares. The 
cause of this habit is mostly due on account of the 
hind legs not being properly handled before being hitched. 
First put on the Bonaparte bridle and take her out where 
you have plenty of room. See index for explanation of 
the Bonaparte bridle. Take a half inch rope about 25 feet 
long, double the rope through the loop around the hind 
quarters and over the hips. Keep the Bonaparte bridle in 
your left hand and the other rope in your right. Give a 
quick pull upon the rope in your right hand. When she 
kicks give her a severe jerk on the Bonaparte bridle, and 
at the same time giving her a sharp command "behave," 
bring the rope around the hind legs, and make Iter walk- 
around in a circle. When she makes an effort to kick, 
punish her by giving a hard jerk on the Bonaparte bridle, 
and at the same time give her a sharp command "behave." 
Keep on working this rope in this manner till she doesn't 
pay any attention to it, then remove the Bonaparte bri- 
dle and put on the throwing harness, and give her a good 
subduing and handle her hind legs thoroughly while down. 
Then remove the throwing harness, put on knee pads and 
driving hobbles, hitch her up with a broke horse to a stone 
boat, so the tugs will come very low on her legs. Drive 
her around once in a while, making short turns first to the 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 31 

right, then to the left. If she kicks pull up on the rope in 
the driving hobbles and bring her down on her knees, at 
the same time giving her a sharp command "behave." 
Repeat this until she doesn't have any desire to kick. Do 
not hitch a mare of this kind with the driving hobbles on, 
to any machinery, especially a disc. If you do hitch a mare 
of this kind, give her the treatment explained for two or 
three times. Then you may hitch her on to any kind of 
machinery by taking a piece of sash cord about 25 feet 
long — take one end of the cord under the upper lip and tie 
ropes together on top of the head. Leave the other end 
come back into your hand. Watch her closely. Whenever 
she kicks come with a quick jerk on the cord, at the same 
time speaking sharply "behave." In case that your horse 
had the habit of this kind for years, it may be necessary to 
give her a treatment in the kicking harness. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT KICKS AT THE 
BREECHING. 

Put on the Bonaparte bridle and take him out in the 

open. Take a half inch rope about 25 feet long around 

the hind quarters, about where the breeching would come. 

With the Bonaparte bridle in your left hand, 

the other in your right hand, give a quick 

pull with the rope in your right, and when the horse kicks 

lish him with a quick jerk on the Bonaparte bridle. 

Repeat this until he won't pay any attention to it, then put 

the knee pads and driving hobbles on and give him a drive. 

handling the horse according to these instructions 

and driving him a couple of times, you will be able to 

roughly break up this habit. If it is a very bad case. 

him a good subduing in the throwing harness befor< 

hitching. 



32 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT KICKS AT ITS 
MATE WHILE DRIVING. 

Hitch your horse up with the one that it is most like- 
ly to kick at. Put on the second form of war bridle, run 
the cord through the line ring on the hame, on the inside 
of the broke horse, watch him closely whenever he at- 
tempts to kick, give him a sharp jerk on the war bridle. 
If you have the horse on the left side, then put the war 
bridle on from the right side, if on the right side put the 
war bridle on from the left side. If he is very bad it would 
be well enough to give him a subduing in the throwing 
harness before hitching. 

The second form of war bridle is made with a loop 
tied around the lower jaw with a stationary knot, then 
pass the rope over the head from the right and through 
the loop on the left side. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
WHILE PUTTING THE HARNESS ON. 

There i> a great deal of difference in horses of this 
habit. It all depends upon how vicious the horse is. You 
take a colt for example, he is liable to kick at you when 
you throw the harness on, if he was never taught anything 
before. This kind can be easilv broke, by my methods of 
colt handling. 

May be your horse had a sore neck and he commenced 
to light the harness, and every time getting a little worse. 
If a horse of this kind, you can break him by using a 
Bonaparte bridle and throwing harness, but I have had 
cases of this kind where I ha\ Q had to use the four hob- 
bles. The four hobbles is des -ribed in the handling and 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



S3 




SECOND FORM OF WAR BRIDLE. 



34 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

taming of bronchos, but do not attempt to break a horse 
of this kind until his neck is healed up. Then take your 
horse out and throw* him down, place the four hobbles on 
and tie a rope 14 inches long between the hobbles on the 
hind legs, give him a chance to get on his feet. Then 
take the harness and make a rush for him and throw the 
harness on him. Repeat this until he stands quiet. Some- 
times you will find native horses of this habit. They will 
kick and strike whenever v>u come with the harness. A 
ln>rse of this kind you handle the same as to tame a bron- 
cho, but in all cases while vmi have them under control. 
you must repeat putting the harness on and off, until the 
horse stands perfectly quiet. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 

WHEN PUTTING CRUPPER UNDER HIS TAIL. 

First take him out, put on the throwing harness and 
give him a good subduing. Then tie him back in the stalk 
put on the Bonaparte bridle; if he is a bad character take 
two hobbles, buckle one around the left front foot, and 
one around the left hind foot, take a piece of rope and tie 
into both hobbles, pull the left hind and front foot about 
10 inches closer than natural standing, hold the Bonaparte 
bridle in your left hand, stand close to the left hip, take 
lndd of the tail with your right hand, work the tail up and 
down just like you were putting the crupper on, give him 
two or three handlings of this kind and you will not have 
any trouble in placing the crupper on. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT KICKS WHILE 

CURRYING. 

Put on the Bonaparte bridle. If you have the horse 
on the right side of the stall take the Bonaparte bridle in 
the left hand and the curry comb in the right hand. 



HOW TO TRAIX THE HORSE. 35 

Whenever he kicks at you give him a quick jerk on the 
Bonaparte bridle, and at the same time give him the 
sharp command "behave." repeating this until he will not 
have any desire to kick. Then tie him to the left side of 
the stall, holding the Bonaparte bridle in your right hand, 
and curry comb in the left hand. Repeat this just as when 
the horse was standing on the right side, and you will have 
this habit broken up in a short time. 

If it is a broncho that is touchy or wild, give him a 
handling like it is explained in breaking a wild broncho. 

HOW T J BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
AT A MAN IN THE BARN. 

If the horse is bit broke, put on the kicking harness, 
take a blanket and stand around the stall. Keep out of 
his sight if possible. Then swing the blanket around his 
hind legs. This causes him to kick and he will receive a 
severe punishment in his mouth. Repeat this until he 
does not have any desire to kick. 

If a broncho or western horse, see index for handling- 
bronchos. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT KICKS 
WHEN HOOKING THE TUGS. 

First give him a good subduing in the throwing har- 
ness. Make all kinds of racket over him; swing a blanket 
over his head and body, and give him a handling in this 
manner about one hour each time for three or four times; 
and in some bad cases it might be necessarv to use the 
driving hobbles for a couple of times, when hitching t > 
a rig. Do not attempt to break a broncho in this manner. 
See index for handling bronchos. 



•r- HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT KICKS AT THE 

STALL. 

Take a piece of chain about 14 inches long, take a 
liame strap and run it through the end of the chain and 
buckle above the hock. And sometimes the horses will 
quit this habit by changing from one stall to another. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT PAWS IN THE 

STALL. 

Take a piece of chain about 14 inches long, take a 
hame strap and run it through the end of the chain and 
buckle it above the knee. 

Another Remedy — Take a hardwood block about four 
inches square, fasten a light strap to the center of the 
block, then take a hame strap and buckle around the leg 
above the knee. Tie the block to the strap buckled around 
the leg above the knee. Let the block hang down about 
ten inches from the strap. 

HOW TO BREAK A RUNAWAY HORSE. 

There are several kinds of runaway horses and they 
have all got to be broke according to what causes him to 
run away. Some horses when being hitched to a wagon 
become frightened at the noise of the wagon and run away. 
For a horse of this kind first put on the throwing harness, 
lay him down and make lots of noise oxer him. Take 
blanket and swing it over him several times; 
give him a good subduing in this manner; put on the 
harness, bridle, knee pads and driving hobbles, hitch him 
to the wagon. Place a tin basket with a couple of light 
horseshoes in it, in the wagon. When you have driven a 
couple of rods put a foot into the basket and kick it around 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 37 

— make all the noise you can. If he makes a quick start, 
pull up on the rope in the driving hobbles and bring- him to 
his knees, at the same time give him the sharp command 
"'whoa." If he starts up in a slow trot pull up a little eas\ 
on the rope that leads to the driving hobbles and give him 
the command "steady." When breaking a horse of this 
kind always make him walk as slow as possible. 

Another kind of runaway horses are those that get 
frightened at a top buggy or a man sitting up high behind 
them. First put on the harness, bridle, knee pads and driv- 
ing hobbles, take him out in the open, have the blinds 
buckled quite low, then take a fish pole about 12 feet long 
and tie an umbrella out on the end of the pole. Have a 
good hold on the rope to the driving hobbles, stand out 
back and a little to the side of the horse, then swing the 
umbrella up over his back and all around him. Whenever 
he makes an effort to get away, pull him down on to his 
fknees, at the same time give him -the sharp command, 
"whoa." Repeat this until he does not pay any attention 
to it. Another kind of runaway, whenever being 
hooked up to a hog wagon he becomes frightened. Put on 
the driving hobbles and knee pads, put a couple or 
more hogs in the wagon and drive around. Whenever he 
makes an effort to get away, pull up on the rope in the 
hobbles and bring him down on his knees, at the same 
time giving him a sharp command "whoa." Never allow 
him to trot, but always make him walk slow. 

If the horse is naturally a runaway that doesn't have 
any particular cause for running, put on the driving hob- 
Ides and knee pads and watch him closely. Whenever he 
makes an attempt to get away, bring him to his knees 
quick, at the same time giving him the sharp command 
"whoa." Repeat this until he doesn't make any effort to 
get away. 



38 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT WON'T STAND 
WHILE BEING HITCHED. 

First put on the harness, bridle, knee pads and driv- 
ing hobbles. Take him out and make him walk around 
in a circle. When he has walked around a distance give 
him a sharp command "whoa." Repeat this until he will 
get ii]> and stop at the command. Then hitch him to the 
wagon. Tie the rope from the driving hobbles with a loop 
knot into the brace in the step of the wagon. Take plenty 
of time to hitch np. lie doing something around the team 
to make the horse believe that you are hitching them up. 
Make them stand until you give them the command "g'et 
up." 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT WONT STAND 
AFTER BEING HITCHED. 

Give him the same treatment as one that wont stand 
while being hitched. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT PRANCES 
WHILE DRIVING. 

The horses that get into this habit are mostly nervous 
or spoiled when first' being hitched. 

If a nervous horse, first put on the throwing harness, 
make all sorts of noise over and around him and take a 
blanket and swing it all over him. Give him a handling of 
this kind for about one hour each time for about two or 
three times, each lesson to be about three hours apart. 
Soon after you give him the last treatment, hook him to a 
wagon. When you drive him always make him walk slow. 
if he walks too fast, check him down by pulling on the rope 
in the driving hobbles. At the same time give him the 
command "steady." Repeat this for two or three times 
and you will have the habit broken up. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 39 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT IS AFRAID OF 
AUTOMOBILES, 

If it is a colt put on the harness, knee pads and driv- 
ing hobbles. Drive the colt around where you think you 
are most likely to meet automobiles. Never whip your 
colt when meeting an automobile; but if he attempts to 
get away from it, pull up on the rope in the driving hob- 
bles, then give him the sharp command "whoa." If it is 
an old horse, put on the Bonaparte bridle, and lead him 
around automobiles and toward automobiles running. If 
he shys away then give a hard pull in the Bonaparte bridle 
toward the auto, and at the same time give him a sharp 
command "come here." 

If you hitch him to a rig use the driving hobbles. 

AFRAID OF A BLANKET. 

Put on the Bonaparte bridle and take the blanket and 
keep flapping it over him first on one side, then on the 
other side, until he will stand perfectly quiet. 

AFRAID OF AN UMBRELLA. 

You can use either the Bonaparte bridle or the driv- 
ing hobbles. If you use the Bonaparte bridle, handle your 
horse five or ten minutes to let him feel the effects of the 
bridle. Then take hold of the rope about 15 feet from the 
horse, open your umbrella and move it around him slow- 
ly, keep moving a little closer, holding it up to him and 
let him feel of it with his nose. Keep on using the um- 
brella around him, so he will stand for it being touched 
all over him. ^dienever he tries to get away, pull up on 
the Bonaparte bridle and give him the command "come 
here."' 



40 



HOW TO TRAIN' THE HORSE 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 41 

AFRAID OF A WAGON. 

First give him a good subduing in the throwing har- 
ness. Make all sorts of racket over him. Give him t\\ i 
lessons about one hour each time, and about three hours 
apart; then put on the knee pads and driving hobbles and 
hitch him to the wagon. Make him walk slowly and 
while driving make all kinds of noise in the wagon and 
when he makes attempts to get away, pull up on the rope 
in the driving hobbles and bring him to his knees, and at 
the same time give the sharp command "whoa." Give 
him a couple of drives in this wa) r and he will be thorough- 
ly broke to the wagon. 

AFRAID OF A TOP BUGGY. 

Put on the harness and bridle, buckle the blinds quite 
low, put on the knee pads and driving hobbles, then take 
a fish pole about 12 feet long, tie an umbrella to one end 
of it, have a good hold to the rope in the driving hobbles. 
then hold the umbrella up over his back, swinging it all 
over him. Whenever he tries to get away, pull him down 
on his knees and at the same time give him the command 
"whoa." Repeat this until he will stand perfectlv still ; 
then hitch him to the wagon, swing the umbrella up over 
him, but do not allow him to trot. Make him walk slow. 
Give him a couple of these lessons and then he will be 
safe to hitch to a top buggy. 

AFRAID OF HAY RACK. 

Put on the harness, bridle, knee pads and driving hob- 
bles and hitch to a wagon and drive around. Make all 
kinds of noise behind him. When he makes an effort to get 
away, give him the command "whoa" and bring him to 
his knees. If he just walks a little faster than he ought to, 
then pull up on the rope a little easy, and give him the 



42 HOW TO TRAIN' THE HORSE. 

command "steady." If he is a bad character, give him a 
good subduing in the throwing harness before hitching. 

AFRAID OF HOGS IN THE WAGON. 

Put on the harness, bridle, knee pads and driving hob- 
bles, hitch him to the wagon, put one or more hogs in the 
wagon and drive around. Get the hogs to squeal and 
make all kinds of noise back of him. When he gets fright- 
ened give him the command "whoa" and pull him down 
on his knees. Repeat this two or three times. He will 
then find out that the hogs won't hurt him. and that he can 
not get away. 

AFRAID OF CHILDREN. 

Put on the harness, bridle, knee pads and driving hob- 
bles and hitch him to the wagon. Drive around where 
there are quite a number of children, for example the 
school house. Make the horse stand still and have the 
children run around and swing their hats and coats and 
make all kind- of noise, but do not allow the children to 
get too close. Give him a lesson like this for about 30 
minutes, and he will then know that the children won't hurt 
him. 

AFRAID OF STEAM ENGINES. 

If there is ; steam engine close put on the Bonaparte 

bridle, take him a few steps at a time and then stop and 
pat him to show that the horse did a- you wanted him to 
do. and that you're his friend. Lead him up close to the 
engine, and all around it. Then lead him away about six 
or eight rods, and then bring him back to the engine. Re- 
peat this a few times, until he will approach the engine 
without pulling on the Bonaparte bridle. If you have to 
go v ,uie distance, put on the harness, bridle, knee pads 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 43 

and driving hobbles, and hitch him to the wag-on, and 

drive him around the machine two or three times. Have 
the broke horse next to the engine. If he gets frightened, 
give him the command "'whoa" and pull him down on his 
knees with the driving hobble rope. Do this until you 
can drive him up real close to the engine. Have him face 
the engine. Make him stand there for some time, so he 
can tin in mghly examine it, and in a short time he will 
know that it is perfectly harmless. 

AFRAID OF CLOTHES ON THE LINE. 

Put on the Bonaparte bridle and take him a few steps 

at a time, and then stop and pat him. Repeat this until 
he will put his nose onto the clothes and feel of them ; als ■ 
take hold of the clothes and shake them a little. If he re- 
fuses to come up close, give him a pull with the Bonaparte 
bridle and tell him to '"come here." 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE FROM SWITCHING 

ITS TAIL. 

Place on the horse the collar and harness, then take 
hold of its tail, take a wooden pin five inches long and one 
inch in diameter, lay it directly across the hair of its tai 
double the end of the tail over the pin and take a piece of 
sash cord about 10 feet long, take hold of the middle 
the rope, make two half hitches around the tail back < : 
the stick, then bring its tail up over its back; bring on 
end of the rope down through the buckle of the belly-ban 1 
on the right side, and tie to the hame ring, and bring th 
other end of the rope through the buckle on the left side 
and tie to the hame ring. Draw the tail down fairly tight, 
leave it up about six hours each time in the summer and 
about eight hours each time in the winter. Sometimes 



41 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 45 

one treatment is enough but in some cases it may be 
necessary to give them two or three treatments; but do 
not give over three treatments, and only every other day. 
This treatment should be given to a horse tied in the barn. 
After each treatment hitch your horse and give him a drive 
< m any rig that he is most likely to switch on, and use one 
of the patent spring cruppers. For switchers the crupper 
is made of iron shaped like a crupper, with a light strip 
of iron welded on to the center of the crupper. This strip 
of iron reaches to the end of the tail bone, and the whole 
thing is covered with leather. Sew two small straps 
across this strip of iron, one close to the end of this iron 
-• L np and one about Id inches from the end. Buckle the 
crupper into the harness, then buckle the two small 
straps around the tail, through the hair. This crupper 
can be used on the horse without being noticed. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT SWITCHES ITS 
TAIL OVER THE LINE AND HOLDS IT. 

Si me horses will switch their tails over the lines and 
hold them tight. A horse of this kind is called a line grab- 
ber. A horse of this kind can easily be broken by using a 
large crupper on him. You can use a common crupper 
by wrapping a cloth around it, until you get the size re- 
quired. By using this large crupper on him it will prevent 
him from holding the line. If it is a very bad ca<e give 
him the treatment described for breaking a horse from 
switching its tail. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO BACK. 

First, hitch your horse to a rig, but do not have a 
load on. Step in front of him, take the butt end of whip and 
press it in between the breast bone and the shoulder point, 
ami at the same time give him the command to "back up." 



4t> HOW TO TRAIN' THE" HORSE". 

As soon as he takes a step or two back, relieve the pres- 
sure ami reward him by patting" him on the neck. Repeat 
this until he will back freely; then step back into the- rig; 
and take hold of the lines and give him the command 
"back up." If it is a very stubborn horse take a broom 
handle and use in place of the whip. 

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE GET UP WHEN HE 
THROWS HIMSELF. 

Place one knee on his neck", take hold of his nose with 
one hand and close the lower nostril tight. Turn his h< 
up and pour about one quart of water into the upper nos- 
tril — this will give him the same sensation as drowning, 
but do not have the check" rein tight. Let him have his 
feet free and he will get up as fast as you can get out of 
his way 

HOW TO BREAK A BALKY HORSE. 

A balky horse is the most disagreeable horse to con- 
lend with, but do not blame the horse. If there were not 
any balk_\- drivers, there would be no balky horses. Some- 
times I have had men tell me that they had colts born 
balky, but I am safe to say that no colt is born balky. 
But there are colts with a balky disposition and if a balky 
driver undertakes to break one of this kind he is sure to 
have a balky horse. I have two practical methods; the 
one is for light horses that weigh 1050 or less — first hitch 
the balky horse to the wagon with a horse that is broke. 
put a stay chain on for the broke horse and take a strap 
1 ' _■ inches wide and about 55 inches long, sew a billet on 
one end, about 25 inches long and make another one the 
same length with two buckles in it and buckle the long 
strap into one of these buckles and place a 1 ' _. inch roller 
sua]) on the long strap, buckle the two billets around the 



HO'W TO TRAIN THE HOUSE. 



4^ 




HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



front legs above the knees, snap the roller snap into the 
ring in the end of the neckyoke ; then take a half inch rope 
in the opposite end and tie about four inches from the end. 
Pass the rope back to the back end of the wagon tongue 
and tie. Have the rope between the broke horse and the 
wagon tongue. When the rope is tight the neckyoke 
should stand directly across the tongue. Then take hold 
of the lines and give the team the command "get up." 
Turn a little to the right or left and the balky horse will 
have one foot off the ground, and he will have to go. This 
strap may also be used for a kicking strap on a single 
horse. 

If the balky horse weighs more than 1050 use the 
following method. Hitch your balk}- horse onto the 
wagon with a broke horse, take a half inch rope about 25 
feet long, leave the crupper off, place the center of the 
rope under his tail and tie the ropes together about four 
inches above the tail, pass one rope on each side of him, 
and in through the neckyoke strap and over the neck yoke. 
Then take another rope about 20 feet long, tie one end of 
this rope into the rope placed under the tail, tie a pair of 
doubletrees into the other end, hitch a team to the double- 
trees, and take a stick about four inches long and double 
the end of the tail over the stick, take a piece of sash cord 
and take two half hitches around the tail back of the stick. 
Pass the cord between the hind and front legs and tie into j 
the collar, but do not tie very tight. You must use the 
best of judgment in breaking a horse of this kind, and 
great care should be taken not to pull on the rope under 
the tail, except when you tell him to go and he refuses. In 
breaking a horse like this it requires a helper, one man 
driving the team hitched to the wagon and the other the 
lead team. Then give your team the command "get up." 
If the balky horse refuses to go then drive the lead team 
up. When the rope tightens, tap the balky horse a little j 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 49 

with the whip, at the same time giving- the command "get 
up." If the balky horse is willing to pull his share of the 
wagon, do not allow the lead team to pull on him. Make 
him go five or six rods at a time. When you want to stop 
first give the man that drives the lead team the signal "to 
stop" before giving the balky horse the command "who'a. 
Repeat this until he is willing to go and stop at the com- 
mand. When he is willing to pull his share of the wagon, 
tie both hind wheels of the wagon and get him used to 
pulling something heavier. When he is willing to pull 
his sh;>re <>f the wagon with both rear wheels tied, drive 
him ab< u one half hour. But stop a couple of minutes 
every ten or twelve rods. Then he may be put in the barn 
till the next lesson. You should give him two lessons a 
day until he won't have any desire to balk. After you 
have given your horse a couple of lessons like this on the 
wagon y< n may hitch him in the center of a three or four 
horse team by taking a piece of half inch rope under his 
tail and fasten a half inch rope pulley into the rope and 
tie the pulley into the back strap of the harness between 
tlie hips. Take another half inch rope, pass it through the 
pulley on the back, tie one end into the left hame ring on 
the broke horse on the right side of him and the oilier int i 
the right hame ring on the broke horse on the left side. 
Have about 12 inches of slack in the rope under his tail, 
That gives him a chance to start, but if he doesn't start bv 
the time the other horses are 12 inches ahead of him the 
rope under his tail will pull up on him and he will have to 
go. If the horse throws himself, see index — How to make 
a horse get up when he throws himself. 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE HORSE THAT IS 
BAD TO BRIDLE. 

Some horses get into this habit by being abused or 
by having a sore on or around the ears, and when putting 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



the bridle on it o ires in contact with the sore. Place on 
him the Bonaparte bridle, keep the cord in the left hand 
about 14 inches from his head, then rush your right hand 
up to his ears. When he throws his head away from you, 
give him the sharp command "come here," and at the same 
time give a quick pull on the Bonaparte bridle toward you. 
Repeat this until he will stand still, when you rush your 
hand up to his ears. Then remove the Bonaparte bridle 
and put on a common bridle; put it on and off several 
times, but be gentle with him and if he has a sore on or 
near his ears so the bridle will come in contact with it, do 
not attempt to break him until the sore is healed up. If 
he is bad when putting the bit in his month, use an easy 
bit and be gentle with him. If he refuses to open his 
mouth, place a couple of your fingers in his mouth from 
either side and press down on the lower jaw. He will 
then open his mouth without any trouble. 

CROWDING IN THE STALL. 

Place on the horse the Bonaparte bridle. If the horse 
crowds to the left side, put it on from the left side, if he 
crowd- to the right, put it on from the right side. If the 
horse is standing on the right side of the stall, run the cord 
back and to the left. Hang the cord upon a nail in the 
stall and step back a little. Then come back, take the cord 
down and walk up to him. If he attempts to crowd, give 
him a quick pull on the bridle toward you, at the same 
time give him the command "get over." That will bring 
the head toward you and the hind parts away from you. 
Repeat this a few times. Give him a lesson about a half 
hour each time until the habit is broken up. 

HOW TO BREAK A VICIOUS STALLION. 

If the stallion is louse in a box stall take a lariat rope 1 
and a M or 38 revolver, with blank cartridges and be sure 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



• r ,l 



W hh 




1. Saddle and Revolver. 2. Riding Bridle. 3. Rope and Hobble Use 1 
in Handling the Horse's Feet. 4. Breeching Rope. 5. Large Ci 
per. 6. No. 8 Sash Cord Used for the Bonaparte Bridle. 7. Kicking 
Harness. 8. Catching Strap Used in Place of a Rope When Catch- 
ing a Wild Horse by the Feet. 9. Four Hobbles. 1.0. Driving Hoh 
bles. 11. Surcingle. 12. Foot Strap. 13. Knee Pads. 14. Balky S1 



52 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

that the revolver is in good order. Walk into the box 
stall. If the horse makes an attempt to attack you, shoot 
him in the mouth or as close to the mouth as possible, but 
do not allow him to come too close to you. Then throw 
the rope over his neck and pass the rope through the man- 
ger or around a post near by, so you can tie him up. Then 
bring a strong pole up along the left side of him, so you 
can have a little protection, then place the bridle on him 
if you can, and buckle the surcingle around his body. Take 
a stiff wire with a hook on one end of it, hook- this into the 
buckle on the surcingle and pull it toward you and buckle 
the surcingle loose around his body. Then take a half 
inch rope about 25 feet long, make a slip loop in one end, 
throw the loop up toward his right front foot. When he 
steps into the loop, pull up on the rope, so it will tighten 
around his foot, between the hoof and ankle. Then swing 
the rope over his back- to the left side. Then walk up to 
him, on the left side of the pole, slide the surcingle around 
his body till yon can take a hold of the ring that belongs 
on the right side; then pass the rope through the ring 
from the front side, slide the surcingle back so this ring- 
will be on the right side, buckle the surcingle fairly tight, 
then take another half inch rope and make a loop in the 
rope, throw the loop up to the left front foot, and get it 
the -ante as you did the right foot. Now pass the rope 
through the ring on the left side from the front. Have 
your helper lead him out, and you keep a hold on the ropes 
on his feet. When you have him where you are going to 
handle him, pull up on the ropes and throw him down and 
put the four hobbles on him and tie a rope in the hobbles 
on the hind legs, so thev will be about 14 inches apart. 
This prevents him from striking and kicking. First han- 
dle his front part. Do all you can to make him strike, 
but he will soon find out that he can't. Whenever he 
makes an attempt to bite, shoot him in the mouth with 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 53 

blank cartridges. Put on the Bonaparte bridle, handle 
him around the month and head; take a blanket, swing it 
around his hind legs and all over him. Handle him in 
this manner until he doesn't show any viciousness. 

HOW TO BREAK A HALTER PULLER. 

There arc several ways to break a halter puller. I 
prefer a half inch rope about 35 feet long. Double the 
rope, place the center of the rope under his tail, and tie 
the ropes together about six inches above the tail. Pass 
one end of the rope on each side of the neck, then through 
the halter ring, both from the same side, and tie to the 
manger. If the manger is up against the wall, and the 
Ik ile up in the hay loft in front of him, have your helper up 
in the hay mow with a piece of rope tied into a blanket. 
As soon as you have the horse tied to the manger, step 
out of the -tall Tell your helper to throw the blanket 
down through the hole in the hay mow in front of the 
horse, and frighten him back into the rope under his tail. 
Then pull the blanket up. When the horse comes back 
up to tlie manger, throw the blanket down again — -repeat 
this until he doesn't make any effort to pull. When you 
can't frighten him back any more, take this rope off of 
him and tie him with a halter rope. If there is a \c<ji\ alley 
where the horse is tied, frighten him from in front, in the 
same manner. 

Another remedy : — 

Take a half inch rope around his body, pass the rope 
between his front legs through the halter ring and tie to 
the manger. 

Another remedy : — 

Pass the halter rope through the hole in the manger 
and tie to a hobble on either front or either back foot. You 
can also break some halter pullers with the breeching rope, 
but I prefer the first remedy. If your horse pulls back on 



54 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

the street, or any place outside, the treatment must be 
given where he does the pulling, but in all cases you must 
frighten him from in front in order to give him a cause to 
try to pull loose ; but every time he goes back the rope will 
punish him. I have often been able to break up the habit 
of halter pulling in three minutes. 

HOW TO BREAK A CRIBBER. 

Cribbing is often the result of the teeth crowding and 
causes a pain and the horse begins to bite into the manger 
to get relief; and sometimes on account of a lack of salt, 
and by having a horse standing idle for some time tied to 
an empty manger will form the habit of cribbing. This 
habit can sometimes be broken up when first started by 
taking a bone saw and sawing between the teeth. If this 
doesn't break up the habit, take 1 ' _> inch strap long enough 
to buckle around the neck, then take two wooden 
pins 1 l _> inch long and l'[ inch in diameter, drill a hole 
through the pins, then take two bolts 1 3-4 inch long, 
punch two holes in the strap, one on the right and the oth- 
er on the left side, close back of the jaw bone, and. above 
the windpipe. Fasten the wooden pins with the bolts, 
have the bur on the outside of the strap with a washer un- 
der it. Round the edges off next to the horse and have 
the strap buckled fairly tight. Leave this strap on for 
about three days until he doesn't show any signs of 
cribbing. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE SINGLE. 

Before hitching a horse single lie should be tin rough- 
ly broken double, and hitched on both sides in a team 
and give him a handling with the Bonaparte bridle, and 
handle the rope around his hind quarters about where tin 1 
breeching comes. That will get him used to the breech- 
ing;. Also pfive him a good subduing; in the throwing: bar- 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 55 

ness, then place on him the harness with collar and names, 
and a bridle with an easy bit; buckle a hame strap into 
both bit rings loose around the lower jaw. Then place on 
him the driving hobbles and knee pads; drive him around 
in a circle, and teach him to go and to stop by the com- 
mand "whoa" and "get-up/' Then hitch him to a strong 
cart and give him a couple of short drives a day, for a 
couple of days. Then you may place a single harness with 
a breast collar on him and get him used to pulling in a 
breast collar. If you hitch him to a buggy or a cart with 
short shafts in it, you should use a kicking strap for a few- 
times. Place the kicking strap about six inches above the 
tail and buckle, around the shafts on both sides. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE FROM PUTTING THE 

TONGUE OUT OF THE MOUTH. 

If the horse carries his tongue on top of the bit and 
keeps it outside of the mouth, this can easily be stopped 
by taking a straight bit. I prefer a No. 90. Drill four 
holes through the bit, the two outside holes should be 
about an inch from the bit rings and the other two equal 
distance apart, take a smooth wire, size No. 9, pass the 
ends of the wire through the two middle holes and make a 
D about 1 >i inch, then make another D in the two outside 
holes the same way. This D should extend back about 
2) • inches. Clinch the ends of the wires and bend them a 
little on the other side, so the D's will be stationary. Have 
these D's point up in the mouth, flat on the tongue. This 
is a sure cure. If the horse carries his tongue under the 
bit and outside of the mouth, in most cases that tongue 
has been injured. You can sometimes prevent this by 
using this same bit, but by reversing the bit so the D's will 
point down toward his front teeth. 



56 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT SHYS. 

First place on him the throwing harness, and lay 
him down. Take a tin basket and place a couple of horse 
shoes in it; shake it all over his side, shoulders and hind 
quarters, make all the noise you can, and take a fish pole 
about 10 feet long, take a piece of white muslin a yard wide 
and two yards long and tie it on the end of the pole. 
Swing this flag over his head and around him, and when he 
does not pay any attention to tins, remove the throwing 
harness and put on the work- harness and knee pads and 
driving hobbles. Then swing the Hag over his head and 
all around him, until he doesn't pay any attention to it. 
Give him two or three lessons, whatever it may require. 
In some cases the long hairs on the eyebrows curl into 
the eyes and they dim the eye sight. These hairs should 
be removed. Do not whip a hor.se of this kind when pas- 
sing any object that causes him to shy. 

HOW TO BREAK A PLUNGER. 

First give him a good subduing in the throwing har- 
ness. Then put on the work harness, bridle with an easy 
bit, and drive him around in a circle. Teach him thorough- 
ly the meaning of the words "get up and "whoa." Hitch 
him t< » a rig. When starting i ml gi\ e him the c >mmand t< > 
go. Do not use the lines very severely on him. If he starts 
out too fast, speak to him "steady" and check him a little 
by pulling up the rope in the driving hobbles. Do not hit 
a horse of this kind with the whip, when starting out. 
Start him out as slow and easy a- possible. In breaking 
a horse of this kind you should hitch and handle him this 
way about four or five times a day, as may be required. 
But drive him only a mile each time till you have the halt- 
it broken up. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 57 

HOW TO BREAK A NATIVE COLT TO RIDE. 

First put on the throwing harness, and give him a 
good subduing. Sometimes it may require two or three 
lessons in the throwing harness to make him gentle 
enough to ride. Then put on the Bonaparte bridle, get 
on to his back and make him walk around. If he makes an 
attempt to throw yon off, give him a quick pull on the Bo- 
naparte bridle. When he doesn't show any attempt to 
throw you off, place a riding bridle on him and ride him 
quite often, for two or three days. Do not attempt to 
break a broncho to ride by this method. See index for 
breaking bronchos to ride. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE THAT KICKS AT THE 

WHIP. 

Put on the Bonaparte bridle and crack the whip all 
around him, especially around the hind quarters. Keep 
swinging the whip towards his hind part to make him be- 
lieve you are going to hit him, and you may tap him a lit- 
tle light once in a while. Whenever he kicks at the whip, 
give him a sharp jerk on the Bonaparte bridle and at the 
same time give him the command "behave." In some 
cases this is sufficient to break up the habit, but if it is a 
very hard character you should give him a handling in the 
kicking harness. Have two single lines on the harness. 
and drive him in the kicking harness without being hitched 
to a rig, and hit him around the hind quarters with the 
whip once in a while. Whenever he kicks he will punish 
himself. Give him a couple of lessons or more if needed. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE TO LEAD BEHIND A 

WAGON. 

If the colt is gentle put on the breeching rope and the 
second form of war bridle, pass the two ends of the breech- 



118 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

ing rope through the endgate rod, and tie to the side of the 
wagon, and hold the second form of war bridle in your 
hand. If the colt kicks at the breeching rope, give him a 
hard pull on the war bridle. The second form of war bridle 
is made with a loop tied around the lower jaw, with a sta- 
tionary knot. Then pass the rope over the head from the 
right and through the loop on the left side. If it is a wild 
colt or broncho, he should be tamed down before putting 
the breeching rope on, whatever treatment it may require 
to tame him. 

HOW TO TAME A WILD BRONCHO. 

When taming a wild broncho, they have got to be 
handled and tamed bv an altogether different method than 
a native horse. The best place to catch and handle a wild 
broncho i> in a van! _!4 feel square, with a good high fence 
around it. Do not have a iv barb wire near it. If yon do 
not have a yard of this kind, you may catch him in a barn 
or shed. After you havi caught and the four hobbles 

on him. you may let him out in the open, where you have 
more room. First take a. smooth wire around a post about 
the middle ^>\ the fence, ah ait 3 l /> feet from the ground, 
and make a : this wire, take a 3-4 inch rope 2? feet 

long, make a slip loop in o te end, hang the loop of the rope 
in the hook of the wire, forming a loop about four feet wide 
and ,i F .. feet high. Have the loop close up against the 
fence. Take hold of tin if the rope, make the bron- 

cho run around. When he runs against the loop of the 
rope, he gets both feet in the loop. Then pull up on the 
rope and pull both fronl legs together, and throw him 
down on either side. \\ h a he is down on his side, hold 
his front legs straight out from the shoulder, and up off 
the ground. Then put on the four hobbles. When put- 
ting the four hobbles on si md straight out from the hind 
legs. Buckle the hobble on the tipper hind leg, then on 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 59 

the upper front leg above the rope, then the bottom hind 
leg and bottom front leg" above the rope. The rope in the 4 
hobbles should be about six inches shorter than natural 
standing. Then put a halter on him with either a rope or 
strap about three feet long fastened into the halter ring 
Then take the long rope off of the front legs and give him 
a chance to get on his feet. If the horse is laying on the 
left side rush up to him from the left. If he is laying on 
the right side rush up to him from the right side and he 
will get on his feet. Then take a hold of the halter rope 
and handle his head: then handle his hind quarters. When 
you have handled him about 15 minutes, take a fish pol 
about 12 feet long, tie a piece of muslin a yard wide and 
two yards long on to the end of the pole, stand back of him 
about 8 feet, swing the Hag up to him, first on one side 
then on the other side and around his hind legs, over his 
head and back. When lie don't pay any attention to the 
flag, then take a tin basket, place a couple of horse shoes 
in it, shake the basket all around him, put it on his back 
and neck, make all the noise you can, but do not hurt him 
in any way. A horse can not strike or kick back in four 
hobbles, but he can kick out at the side. But you can pre- 
vent him from kicking out at the side by tying the tw • 
hind hobbles about 14 inches apart with a piece of rope 
When taming a broncho you must handle him all over 
Handle the right side as much as the left, and rub his legs 
until he don't pay any attention to it. When handling the 
front legs take hold of the check piece in halter with on 
hand, and rub the legs with the other. The use of a re- 
volver and blank cartridges is a great help in taming a wil 1 
broncho. Shoot all around him. If he is a vicious bite". 
shoot him in the mouth a time or two, that will soon teach 
him that his teeth were not made to bite his keeper with. 
[When taming a broncho in the four hobbles do not work 
at him all the time, but should let him rest about five min- 



M HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. _ 

utes between acts. Before you take the four hobbles off 
you should have him so you can handle him all over with- 
out showing any attempt to strike or kick. When taking 
the four hobbles off take the hobbles off the hind legs first, 
then the front legs. If you want to halter break this bron- 
cho or break him to drive or ride, see index. 

HOW TO MAKE THE FOUR HOBBLES. 

First have the blacksmith make you four D's out of 
3-4 inch vvraught iron, 1 ' _> inch wide and 2 3-4 inches long. 
Then get 4 leather straps 1 J _> inch wide and 46 inches long, 
place the D in the middle of the strap and a buckle 1^2 
inch back of the D and sew the edges together around the 
strap, then line them with heavy felt, cut the lining four 
inches wide and 11 inches long. Allow the lining to come 
even with the buckle, then take a few stitches through the 
center of the strap and lining, and seAv the lining together 
on the back. Then take a half inch rope, tie one end into 
the I) on one hobble and run the other end of the rope 
through the D on another. Run the rope through the 
I ) tw< i i »r three times and tie. 

HOW TO HALTER BREAK A WILD BRONCHO. 

First get vour broncho into a place where you can 
catch him and. lay him down and put the 4 hobbles on him 
and handle him as described in taming a wild broncho, and 
gel him gentle. Then take hold of the halter rope, stand out 
to the side about four or five feet, then tell him to "come 
here," at the same time giving a hard pull toward vou. 
Repeat this for a few times, to the left and right, but do 
not pull him forward. When he corner around willingly 
t<> the right and left, place the breeching rope on him and 
tie him up. If the broncho is under six years of age, leave 
him tied with the breeching rope about two davs, then 
ne :i rope around his neck and through the halter ring.. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



61 




62 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO BREAK A WILD BRONCHO TO DRIVE 

NOT HALTER BROKE. 

First get your broncho into a place where you can 
catch him and lay him down, put the four hobbles on him. 
give him a handling the same as is described in How to 
Tame a Wild Broncho. The main thing in handling bron- 
chos is to take all the tear out oi them and always use a 
great deal of judgment and plenty of patience. Whatever 
they do is not because the} - are vicious, but because they 
are afraid that yon are going to hurt them, and they are of 
a wild nature. They can easily be brought under control 
by my method of training. It is not necessary to spend 
any extra time in halter breaking a broncho, 
when you are going to break him to drive. By the time 
you have him broke to drive he will be halter broke. When 
you have the broncho tamed, but before you take the four 
hobbles off, put the harness on him ten or twelve times, 
to get him used to the harness. Then put a blind bridle 
on him with an easy bit and buckle a hanio strap into both 
bit rings loose around the lower jaw and handle him all 
over, so he will get used to being handled when he can't 
see you. Then place the knee pads and driving hobbles 
on to him, slip the four hobbles on the front legs up over 
the ankle and buckle the driving hobbles below the ankle 
and put on the breeching rope, then take the four hobbles 
off, take the hind hobbles off first, take hold of the 
breeching rope, pull him out to one side, to let him 
know that he can walk.. Tie the ends of the breeching 
rope to the harness, take the whip in your right hand and 
drive him around in the yard a fevv minutes. Give him the 
command "get up," and tap him over the shoulder with 
the whip, but be as easy as possible in using the whip on 
the broncho. When he walks around a distance give him 
the command "whoa" and make him stop by the use of 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 63 

the driving hobbles. Then take hold of the breeching rope 
and lead him up to the wagon tongue. If he is a little 
stubborn about leading, lead the broke horse in front of 
him and take a six inch bolt and put it through the cock 
eyes in the tugs to the broke horse. Take the ends of the 
breeching rope, tie two half hitches around the tugs back 
of the bolt. Take hold of the rope in the driving hobbles 
with your right hand, and lead the broke horse with the 
left hand, lead him a rod or two at a time, and let him rest 
a few minutes. Lead him up to the wagon tongue and 
hitch him the same as any colt; have a stay chain on for 
the broke horse and the neckyoke tied on to the tongue. 
Drive him slow and be careful not to drive him until he 
is too tired, as it may cause him to sulk. You should hitch 
him a couple of times a day until he is thoroughly broke. 
If you lie a broncho of this kind outside for the first two 
days, tie him with the breeching rope, and the same in the 
barn when taking the harness oft. Take it off without 
removing the breeching rone. 

HOW TO BREAK A HALTER BROKE BRONCHO. 

If the broncho is wild and touchy, liable to strike and 
kick, give him a taming down the same as described in 
how to tame a wild broncho. In taming 
a broncho that is halter broke, it is not 
necessary to turn him loose in a shed or yard to catch him 
and put the hobbles on. Have a pole up on the left side of 
him in the stall. First buckle the surcingle loose around 
his body, then buckle two of the four hobbles on to his 
front feet, then take a rope about 25 feet long, pass the 
rope through the ring in the surcingle from the back, then 
run the rope through the D in the hobble on the left front 
foot, then through the ring under the belly, then through 
the D on the hobble on the right front foot and tie in the 
ring in the surcingle on the right side. Lead him out to 



M HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

where you want to handle him, and throw him down. 
Now put the hobbles on to the hind legs, then remove the 
surcingle and the long- rope. If he is a real bad character 
do not take any chances in getting hurt, but should use 
the same method as putting the four hobbles onto a vicious 
stallion. If the broncho don't show any signs of fear, and 
not liable to kick and strike, give him a subduing in the 
throwing harness and handle him the same as a native 
colt; but do not use the Bonaparte bridle on him. When 
von have him gentle hitch and drive him like other colts. 

HOW TO BREAK A HORSE FROM STRIKING. 

The habit of striking is mostly common in bronchos or 
wild horses. The safest and quickest method in breaking 
a striker is to use the four hobbles. When you have the 
four hobbles on the horse do all you can to cause him to 
strike. Rush up to him, take hold of his nose, handle his 
head thoroughly, and take a bunch of papers and tie a 
piece of sash cord around them, run the 
sash cord through the nose band of the halter, 
stand in front of him about 8 feet, pull up on the sash cord 
and pull the bunch of papers up toward him. \\ hen it gets 
within about four feet of him, give a quick pull on the 
bunch of papers so they will fly up to his nose. Repeat 
this handling until he won't have any desire to strike. If 
a horse strikes when snapping the line into the bit, use the i 
same method, but before removing the four hobbles put 
a blind bridle on him, stand back by his shoulder, take 
hold of the halter rope close to the halter with one hand 
and rush the other hand up to the bit ring. Repeat this 
on both sides until he does not pay any attention to it. 
Use an easy bit on him and be careful not to give him a 
jerk in the mouth when snapping the lines. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 65 

HOW TO BREAK A BRONCHO THAT KICKS AND 

STRIKES. 

[f you have a kicking and striking broncho that has 
been spoiled when someone tried to break him, first give 
him the treatment as described in How to Break a Horse 
from Striking. Take all the striking out of him first, then 
work around his hind legs. Do all you can to cause him 
to try to kick. Swing a flag up to his hind legs and along 
both sides. Work a rope around his hind legs; rush up to 
him, take hold of his legs with your hands and rub them all 
over. T; ke a tin basket, put a couple of horse shoes in it. 
and bump the basket against his hind quarters. .Make all 
the n< ise you can, but do not hurt him; and do not work 
him too hard. \\ hen he gets to sweating let him re^t for 
five minutes. Repeat this handling until he doesn't show 
an_\- attempt to kick or strike. 

HOW TO BREAK A BRONCHO THAT KICKS 
WHEN PLACING THE CRUPPER UNDER TAIL 

If tile broncho is wild and nervous place on him the 
four hobbles. Tame him down thoroughly. Keep handling 
his tail as if yon. were putting the crupper on; repeat this 
until he don't have any desire to kick wben von handle his 
tail. If the broncho is gentle, but will kick when placing 
the crupper under his tail, handle him the same a- a native 
horse that kicks when putting the crupper on. 

HOW TO BREAK A BRONCHO TO RIDE. 

First place on him the four hobbles. Give him a tam- 
ing down as described in How to Tame a Wild Broncho 
Take a rope around his body back of his front legs, draw 
up tight and quick. Move it back about four incites an 1 
draw it up tight again. Repeal this until you gel prett 
well back to the flanks; then do not pull quite so hard o 



66 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



the rope, (let on to his back. Run both heels up and 
down his side, take the -addle and throw it on to him sev- 
eral times, pull the saddle girt up several times. When you 
have him perfectly gentle, then buckle the saddle on and 
put an easv bit into the bridle.. You can also break horses 
that are in thehabit of rearing up and going backward when 
riding, by this same method; but leave the reins loose 
when riding a horse thai is in the habit of going over hack- 
wards. By the use of this method I have often been able in 
from 30 minutes to 1 hour to ride horses without bucking. 
that the owner claimed could net be ridden. 




iN BREAKING A WILD BRONCHO TO RIDE. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 67 

HOW TO HANDLE THE HORSE'S HIND FEET. 

Take a slick about six inches long and one inch in 
diamater, place the stick across the tail close to the tail 
bone. Double the tail over the stick, take a half inch rope 
about 25 feet long, tie two half hitches around the tail 
back of the stick, place a hobble on one hind foot, run the 
rope through the D in the hobble, run the rope around i 
2x4, or through a ring close to the ceiling back of him. 
take held of the end of the rope and pull the hind leg up 
By giving a horse a couple of lessons of this kind he will 
lie easily shod. When handling the front legs put a hobble 
on the front foot and place a surcingle on him. Take i 
half inch rope, run it through the surcingle ring on the 
side from the back - , then through the D in the hobble 
the foot and tie in the surcingle ring under the belly. This 
will educate your horse to be shod in front. 

HOW TO BREAK A BRONCHO THAT IS BAD TO 

BRIDLE. 

A broncho that is bad to bridle generally has the hab- 
it of striking. First put the four hobbles on him. If th ■ 
broncho is touchy about his ears, put on the Bonaparte 
bridle with your left hand about 14 inches from his he; 
Stand by the left side of his head, then rush your ri 
hand up to his ears. When he throws his head away froi i 
you, give a quick pull in the Bonaparte bridle, at the s. 
time tell him to "come here." Repeat this until he will 
allow you to handle his ears. Then take a bridle, put it on 
and off him 25 or 30 times, but do not be rough aboi 
handling the bridle and his ears. If the broncho is bad 
when you touch his nose, or putting the bit into his moutl' 
do not use, the Bonaparte bridle; but you should handle 
I'him around the nose and mouth until you have all the 
touchiness taken out of him. Then take a bridle, put it on 
and off several times. In a good many cases it is not nee- 



68 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

essary to hobble all four feet, but buckle one on each front 
foot and one on one hind foot, and tie the ropes from both 
hobbles on the front legs into the hobble on the hind leg. 

TRICK TRAINING. 

When teaching horses tricks, they should be trained 
in an enclosure about 24 feet square, and everything re- 
moved that may draw the horse's attention. The lesson 
should be repeated four times a day, about 30 to 35 min- 
utes each lesson. Do not be in too much of a hurry when 
trying to teach a horse a trick. Take plenty of time and 
have plenty of patience. Do not allow your temper to 
get away with you. Before you begin to teach a horse any 
tricks teach him thoroughly the meaning of the words 
"come here" and "whoa." When you first tell a horse to 
perform a trick, he doesn't understand what you want of 
him; but when you show him, and repeat the words of 
command he will soon learn the meaning of the words and 
will be willing to perform any trick that you may teach 
h i m . 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO FOLLOW YOU 

WITHOUT HALTER OR BRIDLE. 

A horse can easily be taught to follow his trainer 
without a strap on him, with the use of the Bonaparte 
bridle. Handle the cord in the left hand, crack the whip 
around him until he hasn't any fear of the whip. When- 
ever he makes an attempt to get away from the whip, pull 
up on the cord and tell him to "come here!" When he 
comes to you reward him by patting him on the neck. 
Then step out to either side and tell him to "come here!" 
If he comes, reward him, but if he refuses, give him a tap 
with the whip around his front legs and step back away 
from him. If he does not follow you, give him a quick pull 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 69 



in the Bonaparte bridle, and give him the command "come 
here." -Repeat this until he will follow you willingly with- 
out pulling on the cord. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO MOUNT A BOX. 

W hen you have taught the horse to follow you, you 
can easily teach him to mount a box. Have a strong box- 
about 14 inches high and about 3 feet long- and two feet 
wide. Put the Bonaparte bridle on him, hold the cord in 
the left hand and the whip in the right hand. Lead the 
horse up toward the box and you stand on the left side of 
the box and keep the whip on the left side of the horse. 
Manage to make him stop when his front feet are about 20 
inches from the box. Take hold of his left front leg with 
your right hand and place it on the box, then pull slightly 
forward on the Bonaparte bridle and tell him to step up. 
Repeat this for several times until he will step upon the 
box willingly. Then you may try and make him step upon 
the box without taking hold of his foot. Lead him up to 
the box the same as before, then tap him around the front 
legs with the whip and speak to him "step up" and pull 
slightly forward on the Bonaparte bridle. If he will not 
step up. after you have tapped him three or four times 
with the whip, then take hold of his left front foot and help 
him up again. Repeat this until he will step upon the box. 
when giving him the command "step up." When you 
want the horse to step down off of the box. use either the 
words "come here" or "that will do." but use the same 
words for performing the same trick all the time. After 
you have your horse taught to get up on the box with his 
front feet, he can be easily taught to get up with all four 
feet. Lead him up to the end of the box and make him 
step up with his front feet, then pull him slightly forward 
on the Bonaparte bridle and make him step forward till 
he comes close to the box with his hind feet, then pick up 



70 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



the left hind leg and place it on the box and help him step 
up. When he steps up with the other foot, give him the 
command "whoa." Reward him by patting him on the neck 
and you may give him a bite of oats, if you wish. Repeat 
this until he steps up willingly. '. : hen you may make him 
step up tiii the hex 1>v tapping him a little on the hind legs 
and tell him to "step up," when he will get up on the box 
without any trouble. Then you may make the box a lew- 
inches smaller, but the same height, and after the horse 
performs a few times, you may cut it down to a very small 
size. 




SHOWING THREE HORSES TRAINED TO MOUNT A BOX WITH 
THEIR FRONT FEET, WITHOUT A STRAP ON THEM. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



71 




SHOWIN' \R OLD OUTLAW BRONCHO TRAINED II V THE 

AUTHOR. 



72 



HOW TO TRAIX THE HORSE. 




MASTER MURPHY OF OTO, IA., AND HIS TRAINED PONY 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO LAY DOWN. 

When teaching a horse to lay down you must have a 
smooth and soft place. Buckle the surcingle around his 
body, and put a short strap around his left front foot. If 
the horse is well bit broke you may use the second form of 
war bridle. If not bit broke, use the halter rope. Pass the 
halter rope through the surcingle ring on the right side, 
snap the strap on his left front foot into the ring in the sur- 
cingle under the belly. Stand on the left side of him close 
to the shoulder, then pull his head around to his right 
shoulder, and he will be compelled to lay down. Leave his 
head flat on the ground when he don't try to get up. If 
he makes an effort to get up pull his head back to his shoul- 
der and tell him to lay down. Pat him and be gentle with 
him while laying down. Repeat this five or six times 
Then take the whip in your right hand and take hold of the 
halter rope with your left hand and tap him around the 
hind legs and repeat the words lay down until he will lay 
down. By giving a horse two or three lessons he will learn 
to lay down without a strap on him, by telling him to lay 
down, and pointing the whip at his hind legs. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO SIT UP. 

After you have taught your horse to lav down, yo i 
can easily teach him to sit up, place a riding bridle on 
him, keep hold of the reins with one hand. Stand back by 
his hips and tell him to sit up. Just as he gets up on his 
front feet, hold the reins tight and give him the command, 
"whoa." Do not forget to reward him whenever he does 
what you want him to do. Do not allow him to remain in 
this position for more than one minute the first lesson. Re- 
peat this until he will sit up without the use of the bridle. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO SAY YES. 

This trick can be easily taught to a horse by pricking 



HOW T6 TRAIN THE HORSE. 



him in the hreast with a pin, and telling him to say yes. 
"When he bows his head with the least move, reward him by 
patting him on the neck. Repeat this until he will bow his 
head with the slightest move of your hand toward his 
breast. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO SAY NO. 

When teaching this trick prick him on the neck with 
a pin close up to the mane. When he shakes his head, re- 
ward him Repeat this until he will shake his head by rais- 
ing your hand. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO SHAKE HANDS. 

Take a whip and fasten a pin in the heavy end of it, 
and prick him lightly back of the knee and tell him to 
shake hands. When he lifts his foot up take hold of it 
with your left hand. Repeat until he will shake hands by 
holding your hand out and give him the command, shake 
hands. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO ROLL A BARREL. 

When teaching this trick you should have a smooth 
and level place. Have a barrel about 20 inches in diame- 
ter and 30 incites long. Put the Bonaparte Bridle on him 
and get him to step upon :he barrel. Keep a hold on the 
cord with vour left hand and roll the barrel with your 
right hand, but roll it slow, and do not compel him to roll 
it more than five or six feet at a time. Repeat this until 
he will roll the barrel without your help. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO TEETER-TOTTER. 

This trick can be easily taught to a horse after you 
have taught him to mount a box with all four feet. Place 
on him the Bonaparte bridle and have two planks 2 inches 
thick' and 12 inches wide and about 16 or 18 feet lousr. 



HOW TO TRAIX THE HORSE. 75 

nail the planks together, lay the planks over a strong pole 
about 12 inches from the ground, nail a piece of 2x4 on the 
bottom side of the planks on each side of the pole to pre- 
vent the planks from sliding sideways, now take a hold 
of the Bonaparte bridle in your left hand and the whip in 
your right hand, lead him up to the end of the teeter-tot- 
ter board and give him the command "step up." When 
he steps upon the board with his four feet, pat him on the 
neck and let him remain standing for a few minutes. Then 
lead him up a little further until you have him on the 
center, then watch him, so he wont step off the board with 
either foot, and move the board up and down slowly. 
After you have taught your horse that the board is harm- 
less, then you make the horse stand on one end of the 
board and you on the other end, and keep a hold of the 
Bonaparte bridle with your left hand, and whip in the 
right hand. If he jumps down and tries to get away, give 
him a quick pull in the Bonaparte bridle and give him the 
command, come here, and a tap with the whip around his 
front legs, and make him get back on to the board. Re- 
peat this until he will get upon the board, without the use 
of the Bonaparte bridle. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO TELL HIS AGE. 

Take a pin and fasten it in the heavy end of the 
whip. Prick him with the pin up high on the back side < T " 
his forearm. When he jerks his foot up and sets it dow: 
reward him; repeat this until he will lift his foot up an 1 
set it down by making a slight motion with the whip 
toward his arm. When you want to stop him make a mo- 
tion with the whip toward his nose. When teaching a 
horse to tell his age, or count, teach him to count with 
his left front foot. 



76 HOW To TRAIN THE HORSE. 

HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO FIRE A GUN. 

To teach this trick you should first get your horse 
familiar with the report of the gun, by putting on the Bo- 
naparte bridle and use a 32 revolver and blank cartridges, 
but do not fire the gun too close to his head. When he 
stands quiet and doesn't -how any fear from the report of 
the gun, then you can c immence to teach him this trick. 
Have a 32 revolver fastened upon a pole about 12 feet 
from the ground, and have a string tied to the trigger, 
allowing the end of the string to come about five feet from 
the ground. Tie a piece of apple or lump of sugar, or a 
few straws of ha\ into the end of the cord. Lead your 
horse up to it. \\ hen lie pulls upon the string, it will dis- 
charge the gun Then pat him on the neck- and feed him 
something good to cat Repeat this for a few times. 
Then you may lower the gun a couple of feet and you will 
soon have him so be will lire the gun only two feet above 
bis head. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 77 

TESTIMONIALS. 

I Mebolt. la., Nov. 12, 1911. 
Mr. J. J. Gunderson, 

Sheldon. Iowa. 

Dear Sir: — How arc you getting along now. I hope 
you arc getting along all right. I am doing well. I broke 
one balk}- mare for my father and one young colt. They 
are both doing fine — -pull good and work fine; gentle as 
kittens. Yours truly, 

John P. Newille. 

Moorehead, la.. Sept. 14, 1915. 
Prof. J. J. ( runderson, 

Sheldon, Iowa. 
Dear Sir : 

I think the course on horse taming I took from von 
is one of the best investments I ever made, as it has helped 
me out many times since. In regard to the horse that was 
mean to bridle; we never had any trouble with him since- 
because I know how to handle him. 

Yours truly, 

John He dine. 

Prof. J. J. ( runderson, 

Sheldon, Iowa. 
Dear Sir : 

The horse you broke for me while I was in the livery 
business at Kiron was well broke and never kicked or 
bothered any more. I kept him six months after that 
and sold him to a horse buyer for a fair price, and the 
schooling that I and your other scholars got here comes 
very handy to all of us, and we are well satisfied with it. 

Respectfully yours, 

Henry Goetsch. 



78 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

Larimorejowa. 
To Whom It May Concern: 

I will say that Prof. J. J. Gunderson broke a bad 
kicking horse for me while I was in the livery business 
at Kin mi. The horse was disagreeable to harness, and 
could hardly be handled. After Prof. Gunderson broke 
him I could hire him out to anyone and he was safe and all 
right. 1 know of several horses that he handled and broke 
at Schleswig that were very satisfactory, and I was a 
scholar of his. Will say his instructions on horse training 
are good, and I am well satisfied with his instructions. 

1 [enry ( ioetsch. 

Soldier, la., Sept. 12, 1915. 
Prof. J. J. ( runderson, 

Sheldon, Iowa. 
Dear Sir : 

I wi^h to tell you how pleased 1 am with your instruc- 
tions. They were well worth what they cost, [t is a great 
help to me, when breaking and handling the many kinds of 
horses, and 1 know that if every farmer or horse owner 
had taken a course there would not be so many horses 
with bad habits. 

Yours truly, 

M. ( ). Britton. 

Sheldon, la., Ma\ 20, 1915. 
Hear Sir : 

The instructions I took from you last winter have al- 
ready made me many times more than what it cost me. 
I broke three of my colts this spring. 

1 sold one team of colts for a good price because I 
could strictly guarantee them to be well broke and gen- 
tle, and any man can do that by using your method of 
breaking colts. I also broke an old mare from being 
touchy around the hind legs. I p-ave her a lessor for about 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 79 

twenty minutes, according to your instructions, and that 
broke her. Your method is far better than any other 
that I have seen or heard of. Before I took instructions 
from you, I came very near sending for the Berry course, 
but after I saw the Berry books I soon changed my mind, 
and I am glad I did it. That certainly beat the old way 
of breaking colts. I now can never go back to the old 
way. By following your instructions a colt can be easily 
made gentle and to drive in a few minutes without any 
cruel treatments. 

Yours truly, 

E. E. Brunk. 

Fulda, Minn., August 1st. 
Prof. J. J. ( .underson. 
Dear Sir : 

I have been informed that you are getting up a book 
on the breaking and handling of horses and as you know 
I have taker your course in horse breaking. But there are 
a few things that 1 have forgotten, and would like to have 
your book. I remember how quick and successful you 
tamed and drove a bad horse down at Schaller, la., a few 
years ago. \\ ishing you success with your book, I remain 

Respectfully, 

Thomas A. Cosgriff. 

Ashton, fa., May 18, 1915. 
I'mf. J. J. ( iunderson, 

Sheldon, Iowa. 
Dear Sir : 

I am writing you a few lines to let you know how 
Tops is getting along. We worked her on the drag and 
corn planter since you broke her. She is working fine. 
1 laid her off five days on account of a sore neck, and 
then hitched her onto the drag. She went just like an old 
horse. ! am satisfied that she is broke from kicking. If 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 



I had taken your advice and joined your class last winter, 
when you were here, I wouldn't have had any trouble with 
her. I have seen a good many different ways of handling 
lmrses and also read the books of Berry, Gleason, Haw, 
Magner and Mullen, but I know that your instructions 
are worth more than all the rest put together. 

Yours truly, 

John Strouth. 

Sheldon, la.. July 10, 1915. 
Prof. J. J. Gunderson, 

Sheldon, Iowa. 

Dear Sir: — 1 am sending you a few lines to let you 
know about my success in breaking a bad kicker. It was 
one of the real kind, but after I gave her a handling about 
20 minutes according to the instructions I took from yon 
it broke her. I broke her about 8 months ago, and she has 
not shown any sign of kicking since. I also handled sev- 
eral others and had the best of results. You remember 
I told you that I took the Berry course before I joined 
your class. I thought at first the Berrv course wai all 
right, but the more I study it the less I know about break- 
ing horses. I have studied his course now for two years 
and can not see any sense to it. I tried to break one horse 
according to the Berry instructions but it was a complete 
failure, but I have found out by experience that your 
course is better and more humane than any course known 
of. I wish to thank you for inducing me to 
take up the course of horsemanship with you. 

Yours truly, 
L. C. Christianson. 

Matlock, la., Sept. 20, 1915. 
Prof. J. J. Gunderson. 

Dear Sir: — I will drop you a few lines to inform you 
about that run-away team, which you broke for me more 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 81 

than a year ago, and can say that they are the best team 
that I have on the place to handle now. They stop right to 
the word whoa — -haven't made any effort to run away since 
you broke them. You have the best method of handling 
horses that I have seen. I am sure there isn't any horse 
which can't be conquered, by properly using your method 
Thanking you for the good work you have done for me. 

Yours truly, 

Charles R. Peters. 



T. J. Gunderson the horse trainer, put on an exhibi- 
bition at the feed barn Friday with his class of men. The 
main actor was a kicking broncho brought in by Fred 
Jurgenson. The animal was a mean one and Gunderson 
undertook to train him. He put on a set of straps that 
operated so that every time the broncho kicked he threw 
himself down. In an hour he was so thoroughly dis- 
gusted that he refused to kick any more and let the pro- 
fessor pick up his feet at will (the broncho's feet, we 
mean). Gunderson says he will be back in the fall to in- 
struct another class. — Paullina Times. 



A horse tamer exhibited to a good sized crowd at 
McGarr's livery barn last Saturday. He evidently under- 
stood his business and returned to Chal Roe a very mild 
and docile animal in place of the outlaw that had been 
given him to practice on. — Castana ( Iowa ) Times. 

J. J. Gunderson, who came here about four weeks 
ago from Danbury. for the purpose of breaking and giving 
lessons in educating horses, has worked up a nice business. 
He now has a good sized class who are taking horse train- 
ing instructions and at the same time has broke a number 
of horses. Mr. Gunderson guarantees satisfaction or no 



82 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

pay. If you have any bad horses take them to him and 
he will make good ones out of them. — Battle Creek (Iowa) 
Times. 



J. J. Gunderson, the horse trainer who has been work- 
ing at his vocation here for the past two months, left on 
Tuesday for (leghorn, and from that place will go to 
YVashta and Quimby. Mr. Gunderson lias had a success- 
ful business here and leaves a reputation that will bring 
him a large amount of business whenever he returns to 
Alta. He is certainly a wonder, when it comes to break- 
ing and training- horses. — Alta Advertiser. 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 83 

INDEX. 

Page. 

Introductory 7 

Remarks 9 

How to halter break a Native Colt 11 

The Bonaparte Bridle 11 

How to break a halter broke Native Colt to drive 14 

The Driving Hobbles 21 

How to break a Native Colt to drive that is not Halter 

broke 21 

How to break a Native Colt that switches and kicks 

at the tongue, one that has been hitched three 

times or less 25 

How to break a Native Horse that switches and kicks 

at the tongue, one that has been hitched four 

times or more 26 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks when the line 

gets under the tail 28 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks when anything 

touches his heels 2'J 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks at the tugs 

while turning around 30 

How to break a Horse that kicks at the breeching 31 

How to break a Horse that kicks at its mate while 

driving 32 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks while putting 

the harness on • 32 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks when putting 

the crupper under the tail 34 

How to break a Horse that kicks while currying 34 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks at a Man in the 

barn 35 

How to break a Native Horse that kicks when hooking 

the tugs 35 



S4 HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 

How to break a Horse that kicks at the stall 36 

How to break a Horse that paws in the stall \ . .36 

How to break a Runaway Horse 36 

How to break a Horse that won't stand while being" 

hitched 38 

How to break a Horse that won't stand after being 

hitched 38 

How to break a Horse that prances while driving" 38 

How to break a Horse that is afraid of automobiles. . . .39 

Afraid of a Blanket 39 

Afraid of an Umbrella 39 

Afraid of a Wagon 41 

Afraid of a Top Buggy 41 

Afraid of a Hay Rack 41 

Afraid of Hogs in a Wagon 42 

Afraid of Children 42 

Afraid of Steam Engines 42 

Afraid of Clothes on the Lines 43 

How to break a Horse from switching its tail 43 

How to break a Horse that switches its tail over the 

Line and holds it 45 

How to teach a Horse to back 45 

How to make a Horse get up when he throws himself. .46 

How to break a Balky Horse 46 

How to break a Native Horse that is bad to bridle 49 

( Crowding in the stall 50 

How to break a Vicious Stallion 50 

I low to break a Halter Puller 53 

How to break a Cribber 54 

How to break a Horse single 54 

How to break a Horse from putting the tongue out of 

the mouth 55 

How to break a Shyer 56 

How to break a Plunger 56 

How to break a Native JJ^yt^^de ' 57 

iot~J9 



HOW TO TRAIN THE HORSE. 85 

How to break a Horse that kicks at the whip 57 

How to break a Horse to lead behind a Wagon 57 

How to tame a Wild Broncho 58 

How to make the Four Hobbles 60 

How to halter break a Wild Broncho 60 

How to break a Wild Broncho to drive not halter broke 62 

How to break a Horse from striking 64 

How to break a Broncho that kicks and strikes 65 

How to break a Broncho that kicks when placing the 

crupper under its tail 65 

How to break a Broncho to ride 65 

How to handle the Horse's hind feet 67 

How to break a Broncho that is bad to bridle 67 

Trick Training 68 

How to teach a Horse to follow you without halter or 

bridle 68 

How to teach a Horse to mount a Box 69 

How to teach a Horse to lay down 73 

How to teach a Horse to sit up 73 

How to teach a Horse to say yes 73 

How to teach a Horse to say no 74 

How to teach a Horse to shake hands 74 

How to teach a Horse to roll a Barrel 74 

How to teach a Horse to teeter-totter 74 

How to teach a Horse to tell his age 75 

How to teach a Horse to fire a Gun 76 

Testimonials 77 



























































































































































































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